Sidney Mitchell - Chailey 1914-1918

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In October 1914, Chailey Parish Magazine notes that Sydney Mitchell is serving his King and Country. In October 1915 it adds: Mitchell, Bombardier W, RGA, Dardanelles. In December 1915 the entry reads: Mitchell, Bombardier S, RGA, Dardanelles.

In April 1916, the parish magazine notes that Bombardier Mitchell is in Salonika and he appears to have served throughout the war, his name appearing in the final roll call published in July 1919 as: Mitchell, Bombardier S, RGA.

Sydney Mitchell is Wallace Sidney Mitchell,one of six Chailey brothers who served during the First World War. He was the second youngest child in a family of nine children (eight of them boys). His parents, Charles and Emily Mitchell, were married in 1880 and by the time the 1881 census was taken they were living at 1 Upper Birchland, Newick. Both were aged 22 with Charles (born in Lindfield) working as an agricultural labourer.

Ten years on, by the time the 1891 census was taken, Charles and Emily were living at what looks like Plummers Den Cottage No 1 in Lindfield and had five children: Charles Mitchell (aged nine), Henry J Mitchell (aged eight), Alfred Thomas Mitchell (aged six), John Mitchell (aged three) and Albert Basil Mitchell (aged eleven months). By the time the 1901 census was taken the family was still living at the same Lindfield address but there were now more brothers – and a sister. New arrivals and their ages in 1901 were: Elsie Mitchell (aged seven), Walter Mitchell (aged five), Wallace Sidney Mitchell (aged four) and Maurice Gilbert Mitchell (aged nine months).

Sidney Mitchell's badly water-damaged service record survive in the WO 363 series at the National Archives, and the following information is taken from this. He first attested with the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment at Sandrocks, Haywards Heath on the 25th June 1913. He gave his address as Lindfield and his age as 17 years. His trade is recorded as gardener.

Sidney was five feet, seven and a quarter inches tall and he had blue eyes and brown hair. He had a scar below his left knee and a faint brown birthmark on the front of his neck. His father Charles, and older brothers Charles and Henry, are recorded on his attestation papers as his next of kin. He was given the number 3/1934 but only remained with the 3rd Battalion until the 24th October that year, seeking a discharge in order to join the Royal Garrison Artillery. His character with the Royal Sussex Regiment is recorded as good.

Sidney's discharge was approved on the 20th Janaury 1914, but not before the recruiting officer of the 35th Regimental District had written to The Reverend Henry Matravers, seeking a reference. The reverend duly replied that he had known Sidney for over ten years, that he had last spoken to him on the 3rd January 1914 and that he was "thoroughly reliable in every way, to the best of my belief." Reverend Matravers indicated that Sidney had been employed by Mrs C W Kimmins at The Old Heritage in Chailey, although in what capacity is not stated.

Sidney joined the RGA on the 18th February 1914 and was given the new number 40071. He signed up for eight years with the Colours and four years on the Reserve. During his time with the regiment he served with a number of different batteries - 533 Battery, 43rd Siege Battery and the 28th Battery - and first went overseas on the 21st July 1915, disembarking at Alexandria with the 43rd Siege Battery on the 4th August 1915. He was appointed acting bombardier on the 10th July 1915 and then, three months later, set sail again, this time for Salonica. He disembarked there on the 4th November and the following February was promoted to Bombardier. Apart from two months' leave to the UK in September 1918, he appears to have remained overseas until March 1919.

Back in the UK, Sidney - by now serving with 533 Battery, 2nd Reserve Brigade, RGA - applied for a transfer to the Military Foot Police on 19th March 1920. This was approved andf he now became 1735 L/Cpl Mitchell, Military Foot Police (Dublin Detachment). However, after only 77 days with the MFP he was discharged at his own request and paid thirty five pounds (which was probably a considerable sum of money to find in those days) to secure his discharge. He gave his home address as Mascalls Farm, North Common, Chailey.

Sidney's brothers Albert, Alfred, Henry, John, and Maurice, all survived the First World War. Their distant relatives, the Plummer brothers, were less fortunate. Albert, Alexander and Owen Plummer all lost their lives.

Sources and Acknowledgements

1881 Census of England and Wales
1891 Census of England and Wales
1901 Census of England and Wales
England and Wales, Civil Registration Index: 1837-1983
The National Archives: Medal index card and WO 363 service record
Chailey Parish Magazine